The Brick Theater Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

In FY24, The Brick Theater, Inc. continued to fulfill its mission as a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to developing and presenting innovative work by emerging artists and career experimenters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Through a wide-ranging slate of multidisciplinary programmingincluding theater, dance, video, virtual reality, and mixed media performanceThe Brick remained a vital platform for boundary-pushing artistic expression in New York City.During the fiscal year, The Brick presented approximately 250300 live performances and exhibitions across its two venues: The Brick Theatre (74-seat black box) and Brick Aux (30-capacity flexible performance, rehearsal, and community space). These programs served an audience of over 10,000 individuals from across all five boroughs, reflecting the organizations ongoing commitment to accessibility through low-cost and sliding-scale ticketing (average ticket price of $20).A cornerstone of FY24 programming was the continued expansion of artist services, particularly through subsidized rehearsal space at Brick Aux, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). The organization provided approximately 1,200 hours of rehearsal space at a subsidized rate of $10/hour, serving an estimated 750 artists. This resource was made available on a first-come, first-served basis during weekday hours, significantly reducing financial barriers for artists developing new work.The Bricks programming in FY24 reflected a deeply diverse and inclusive artistic community. Lead artists represented a broad spectrum of identities: 58% identified as queer and 42% as straight; 35% male, 44% female, and 19% trans/nonbinary. Racial and ethnic representation included 20% Black, 35% white, 18% Latinx, 15% AAPI, 6% Middle Eastern, and 4% Native American artists. Participating artists ranged in age from their 20s through their 70s, underscoring the organizations intergenerational reach.In response to rising production costs and the continued loss of independent performance venues in New York City, The Brick sustained its commitment to equitable access by offering performance space at no cost through a box office split model. With comparable venue rentals in NYC averaging approximately $4,000 per week, this model remains essential to enabling artists to produce ambitious work without prohibitive financial burden.Now in its third decade, The Brick continues to be recognized as a leading Off-Off Broadway venue and an essential incubator for innovative performance. Its longstanding support of emerging artists and dedication to affordability, experimentation, and inclusion ensures its ongoing impact within New York Citys cultural landscape.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 62.5%; rating input score 62
• Program expense ratio: 71.6%; rating input score 72
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.87 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 91.7%; rating input score 92; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 29
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Fail
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 12.8%; rating input score 66; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.69; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.76; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.4%; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 24% per year; rating input score 100; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 30.8% per year; rating input score 100; 92nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 28.5% per year; rating input score 100; 90th percentile among comparable filings